Flight Dynamics Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division   leverages   a broad array of engineering disciplines against a dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities.

As a core   component   of EED, t he Earth Orbit Flight Dynamics Department (EOFDD) provid es   flight mechanics   expertise   for launch vehicle s   and space vehicle s .   Relevant skills   include orbital mechanic s , astrodynamics, trajectory design and optimization, and atmospheric flight modeling and simulation.   We are looking for a   Senior Member of the Technical Staff   or   Engineering Specialist to join the EOFDD team .   T he selected candidate will   provide   expertise   for a wide range of customer flight mechanics needs ,   supporting both analysis and research and development requests. The work will require candidates to provide deep technical solutions while also collaborating with engineering partners to   facilitate   integrated solutions for our customers’ hardest problems. Customers will include   defense, intelligence, and civil and commercial   organizations .

Work Model

- This position will be a hybrid work model based in El Segundo, CA, Colorado Springs, CO, Chantilly, VA, or Albuquerque, NM, with the expectation that the selected candidate works at least   4   days a week onsite, as the business needs allow .

What   You’ll   Be Doing

Primary Support

- Trajectory design and optimization for launch vehicles and spacecraft for missions   operating   in LEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, and other earth-centric regimes

- Astrodynamics and orbital mechanics analysis including orbit propagation and maneuver design and optimization for orbit transfer,   station keeping , graveyard, disposal, and reentry events

- Evaluating contested   missions   applications for space systems to understand threat performance, assess vulnerabilities, and improve system resiliency

- Develop space warfighting tactics aligned to the Chief of Space Operations (CSO)   and Commander of US SPACECOM   priorities by providing technical, operational, and risk assessments

- Maneuver and orbit design,   selection , and optimization for missions that support Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO)   objectives   with complex operational constraints

- Developing Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), exploring Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), and incorporating operational constraints into the design and maturation of space systems

- Providing operational support for nominal launch and spacecraft deployment and transfer sequences, anomaly resolution, and on-call emerging events

- Utilizing   optimal   control, flight mechanics, and computer science/algorithm development skills to create new capabilities   and modernize existing capabilities   to service customer requests as stand-alone services and/or ready-to-integrate submodules

- Leveraging external tools like ASSET, GPOPS-II, SNOPT, POST, OTIS, Copernicus, GMAT, EMTG, etc. where   appropriate to   augment internally developed capabilities

- Communicating effectively with customers and management through   timely   reporting of technical issues, analysis reports, and recommendations

Additional   inter-department partnership collaborations opportunities:

- Cislunar and exploration-class orbital mechanics analysis and trajectory optimization

- Hypersonics , missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicle trajectory design and optimization

- Time-dependent Traveling Salesman Problems and Facility Location Problem analysis

- Integrated, multi-disciplinary RPO system simulations

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum   Requirements for the   Senior   Member of the Technical Staff – Flight Mechanics position:

- Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines

- Five or more   years   of experience in flight mechanics, astrodynamics, maneuver optimization, trajectory optimization, launch vehicle trajectory design, hypersonic vehicle modeling, or general trajectory modeling and simulation

- Experience in space-relevant   TTPs development , operational planning, or battle management

- Proficiency   in one or more of the following programming languages and environments: C, C++, Fortran, Python, Linux,   Java,   and/or MATLAB

- The ability to   operate   independently, often in the presence of ambiguity, and still deliver high-quality, innovative, and specialized end products to a range of customers

- Willing to travel   domestically   approx.   10%

- The ability to obtain and   maintain   a   US security clearance is   required . U.S citizenship is   required   to obtain a security clearance.

- The ability to obtain and   maintain   a TS clearance (SSBI) with SCI access is strongly preferred (applicant will be   submitted   for this clearance upon hiring if they do not currently   possess   it)

In addition to the above, the   minimum   requirements for the   Engineering Specialist   – Flight   Mechanics    position   include :

- Eight   or more   years of experience of relevant technical work   or PhD

- Demonstrated technical excellence in the relevant   job   capabilities   and functions

- The ability to   operate   independently, often in the presence of ambiguity, and still deliver high quality, relevant end products to a range of customers

- The ability to build and perform on multi-disciplinary teams   to deliver integrated analysis products

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

- Advanced degree in   aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines is strongly desired

- Graduate   l evel   c ourse work,   research   and/or experience in one or more of the following areas :   o rbit al   mechanics,   astrodynamics, ascent trajectory modeling, hypersonic flight simulation,   optimal   control, flight mechanics,   and/or   trajectory modeling and simulation

- Experience   using or   building analysis software to combine numerical methods, orbital or flight mechanics, and optimization approaches for launch vehicles,   missiles, interceptors,   spacecraft, or reentry vehicles   ( hypersonics )

- Familiarity with National Security Space Enterprise operational communities and experience with translating warfighter needs into analysis frameworks.

- Experience with nonlinear programming (non-linear programming), direct methods, gradient-based optimization, parameter optimization, genetic algorithms, evolutionary algorithms, heuristic optimization methods, indirect methods, and/or calculus of variations

- Advanced algorithm development skills to include parallel processing and scripting experience

- Experience with contested space trajectory applications, military exercises ,   and wargaming events

- Current TS/SCI   and/ or   TS/ SAP Access

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)
$110,400.00 - $165,500.00

Pay Basis: Annual

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

- Operate Strategically
- Lead Change
- Engage with Impact
- Foster Innovation
- Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

- Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
- Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
- Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
- 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
- Flexible spending accounts
- Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
- Relocation assistance
- Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
- Education assistance programs
- An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at  [email protected] . You can also review  Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal .